Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2004-05: Sims played for the Buffalo Jr. Lightning of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League in 2004-05, where he was named the West Division’s Best Defenseman.

2005-06: The Des Moines Buccaneers selected Sims in the third round of the USHL Entry Draft with the 23rd overall pick. Sims scored 10 goals and 12 assists in 59 games, second in Des Moines defenseman scoring. In recognition of his solid regular season, Sims was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team. In the playoffs Sims only had 2 goals, but he helped Des Moines win the Clark Cup. In February, Sims committed to Ohio State for the 2007-08 season.2007-08: Sims spent the 2007-08 season with the Ohio State University Buckeyes (CCHA), playing in 39 games and posting 11 points (1+10) while racking up 45 penalty minutes in his sophomore season with the club.2008-09: In his second season with Ohio, Shane recorded seven goals and 17 assists.2009-10: Once again, returning to Ohio State, Shane would tally five goals and 12 assists.

Talent Analysis

Sims has a very hard slap shot. His one-timer is used often as the triggerman on the power play. Sims has deceptive speed and can make slick moves skating the puck.

Defensively, Sims plays a fairly physical game and has improved his defensive awareness after a season of USHL hockey.

Sims’ game really came together down the stretch and in the playoffs, even though his playoff stats did not show it. He showed a great deal of poise with the puck in all zones and could follow in the footsteps of Bucs ace defenseman John Vadnais in 2006-07.

Future

Overlooked by many, Sims has the potential to become a solid two-way defenseman, but his primary worth may be in his puck movement and his work on the power play. With the importance of the power play in today’s game, even if Sims only became a power play specialist, he’d be very valuable. Sims attends Ohio State. Depending on how he develops, Sims could become a fourth of fifth NHL defenseman who is also a power play specialist.